Adjustable check writer with plural printing station

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a check-writing machine provided with two print stations supported for both lateral and fore and aft adjustment relative to each other. One of the print stations is provided with a signature block and each of the print stations include a series of print elements selectively settable relative to a print line. A platen mechanism is provided on the check writing machine for effecting a simultaneous print out of information set in the print elements and contained in the signature block.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Vernon W. Cook, Jr.

P.O. Box 266, Pearson, Ga. 31642 [21} Appl. No. 829,517 [22] Filed June2, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [54] ADJUSTABLE CHECK WRITER WITHPLURAL PRINTING STATION 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 101/90, 101/95, 101/20, 101/297 [51] Int. Cl .1341119/04,B41f 1/04 [50] FieldofSearch 101/90, 95, 96, 269,45, 297, 316, 317, 318,20, 19

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,881,578 10/1932 Hinds101/90 1,911,690 5/1933 Howard 101/90 Primary Examiner-William B. PennAttorneyNewton, Hopkins & Ormsby ABSTRACT: This invention relates to acheck-writing machine provided with two print stations supported forboth lateral and fore and aft adjustment relative to each other. One ofthe print stations is provided with a signature block and each of theprint stations include a series of print elements selectively settablerelative to a print line. A platen mechanism is provided on the checkwriting machine for effecting a simultaneous print out of informationset in the print elements and contained in the signature block.

Patented Aug. 24, 1971 3,601,043

4 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Aug. 24, 1971 3,601,043

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOZ VERNON w. cooKprz Patented Aug. 24, 1971 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR VEIZNON COOK, JR.

e/VWM, Wm

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION that there are several different size checkshaving varying distances between the two lines for indicating the amountof the check.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of thisinvention to provide a check writer capable of printing the amount of acheck on both of the amount indicating lines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a check writer having twoprinting stations supported for both lateral and fore and aftadjustmentrelative to each other.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a check writerhaving a fore and aft adjustable signature block.

A further object of this invention is to provide a check writer having afore and aft adjustable stop gauge element.

Another object of this invention is to provide a check writer having twoprinting stations provided with a common print operating lever.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a check writersimple in construction and operating, economical to manufacture andreliable in operation.

The apparatus of the invention comprises generally a check writer havingtwo print stations which are movable longitudinally of each other alongan axis and with respect to each other transversely of the axis. Thesecond print station is stationary and the first print station is movedwith respect thereto as specified above. The first print station printsthe amount in numbers on the check and the second print-station printsin the amount in words on the check as well a signature. The signatureprinter is selectively movable in the second print station so that thepositions of the amount in numbers, the amount in words, and thesignature an be moved with respect to each other.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomeapparent reside in the details of construction and operation as morefully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment wherein like referencenumerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS. OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a right frontperspective view of the check writer,

FIG. 2 is a right front perspective view similar to FIG. 1 with certainparts omitted and certain parts broken away and shown in section forclarity in illustrating the lateral and fore and aft adjusting mechanismof a printing station,

FIG. 3 is a right front perspective view with certain parts omitted forclarity in illustrating the platen operating mechanism,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary right front perspective view of the signatureblock support with certain parts shown in section for clarity inillustrating the signature-block-adjusting mechanism,

FIG. 6 is a right front perspective view of the check writer withcertain parts broken away and shown in section for clarity inillustrating the relationship of the two print station print elementsand signature block,

FIG. 7 is avertical section view taken through one of the printstationsto illustrate the operation association of the platen mechanism withprint elements,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary left front perspective view showing therelationship of the adjustable stop gauge and one of the print station,and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective exploded view showing theadjustable gauge stop.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring to the accompanyingdrawings, the check-writing apparatus will be described with referenceto a base frame 1, having supported thereon a first and second printsection 2, 3, respectively and including a print-operating lever 4.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-3, the first print station 2includes a first substantially rectangular shaped sub frame 10 having apair of fore and aft oriented side members 11, 12, joined on theiropposite ends by a pair of laterally oriented front and rear members 13,14, respectively. Integral with the outside surfaces of front and rearmembers 13, 14 is a pair of laterally oriented tongue members 15, 16,which are slidably supported in a pair of complimentary grooves l7, 18,formed in base frame 1. Lateral adjustment of subframe 10 along grooves17, 18, is accomplished by a lateral adjusting means 19 (FIG. 2) whichincludes an elongated threaded member 20 threaded through in acomplimentary threaded bushing 21 fixed to base frame 1. One end 22 ofthreaded member 20 is connected to subframe side member 12 (byconventional means not shown) for rotatable nonaxial movement relativeto the side member 12. A second end 23 of threaded member 20 is providedwith an adjusting knob 24 for effecting rotation of the threaded member20, and thus slidable movement of subframe '10 with respect to baseframe 1.

Positioned on main frame 1 and in alignment with checkreceiving notch 55is check stop S for positioning the right end of the check to be printedso that the printing segments may be adjusted to properly align thenumeral FIGS. adjacent to the mark on checks of various sizes. If it isdesired to eliminate movement between subframe l0 and main frame 1 tocondense the overall width of the machine, an adjustable check stop S(not shown) may be mounted on housing sidewall 58 and adjacent checkreceiving notch 55 for relative movement with respect to housingsidewall 58 to accomplish the correct positioning of the mark on varioussize checks within check-receiving notch 55 for printing.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first print station 2includes a second substantially rectangular shaped subframe 38 having apair of fore and aft oriented side members 39, 40 joined on theiropposite ends by a pair of laterally oriented front and rear members 41,42. Integral with the outside surfaces of second subframe side members39, 40, is a pair of outwardly projecting fore and aft oriented tonguemembers 43, 44 slidably supported in a pair of grooves 45, 46, formed infirst subframe side members 11, 12. Fore and aft adjustment of secondsubframe 38 is accomplished by a fore and aft adjusting gear 47rotatably supported on first subframe side member 12 by a shaft 48 andincluding conventional gear teeth in engagement with complimentary gearteeth formed on an upper surface of side member 40.

Printstation 2 includes a platen unit 25 having a horizontally orientedplaten surface 26 and a rearwardly extending substantially Y-shapedsupport arm 27 as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and .7. Support arm 27 isrotatably supported on a cross shaft 28 having its opposite ends 29, 30,supported in subframe side members ll, 12, respectively. Formed insecond subframe side members 39, 40 is a pair of fore and aft elongatedslots 50, 51, which surround cross shaft 28 to permit fore and aftadjustment of the second subframe 38 relative to the first subframe 10.Integral with subframe said members 1 1 I2, is a pair of upstandingsupport brackets 31, 32 as seen in FIG. 3, having the opposite ends of atubular cross shaft 33 journaled therein. Fixed to an intermediateportion of cross shaft 33 is a forwardly extending drive link 34.Pivotally connected between an extended end of link 34 and a rearwardlyprojecting end 35 of platen support arm 27 is a pair of link members 36,37. Rotation of shaft 33 counterclockwise (FIG. 7) will effect aclockwise movement of platen unit 25 about cross shaft 28 to move platensurface 26 from a retracted inactive position upwardly to an activeprint position (shown in dotted lines, FIG. 7).

Supported on the second subframe 38 of the first print station is aninverted substantially U-shaped housing 54 provided with acheck-receiving notch 55. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first printstation housing 54 includes a series of print elements 56 rotatablysupported on a cross shaft 57 which is mounted in housing sidewalls 58directly above print opening 53. Each of the print elements 56 includesan upwardly extending setting arm 59 which projects through an elongatedslot 60 formed in housing 54. A depending arcuately shaped surface ofeach of the print elements 56 includes a series of character formingelements 61 formed thereon. A second rearwardly extending arcuatelyshaped surface 62 of each of the print elements 56 has formed thereon aseries of detent elements 63, one for each of the character formingelements. The peripheral spacing of the detent elements 63 is detailedto correspond to the angular spacing of the character forming elements61. The detent elements 63 are to corporate with a conventional detentmechanism 64 to hold each of the print elements in a set positionrelative to a printing line. The vertical spacing of the print element56 is detailed such that a print character positioned at the print linewill be impacted by platen surface 26 when moved to an upper printposition to effect a print out. Reference is made to US. Pat. No.2,826,140 for more detailed description of the print element settingmechanism, detent means and a conventional ribbon inking means to beused in combination with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6,and 7, the first print station housing 54 includes a pair of fore andaft oriented elongated slots 65 in walls 58 which surround cross shaft33 to ermit fore and aft adjustment of the housing 54 and secondsubframe 38 relative to first subframe 10.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the check writerincludes a second print station 3 supported on a base portion 70.Mounted on base portion 70 is a baseplate 71 having a print opening 72formed therein. Also supported on base portion 70 is a substantiallyinverted U-shaped housing 73 provided with a check-receiving notch 74 incoplanar alignment with first print station check-receiving notch 55. Asshown in FIG. 6, the second print station housing 73 includes a seriesof print elements 75 rotatably supported on a cross shaft 76 which ismounted in housing sidewalls 77, 78. Each of the print elements 75include an upwardly extending setting arm 79 which projects through anelongated slot 80 formed in housing 73. A depending arcuately shapedsurface of each of the print elements 75 include a series of characterforming elements 81 formed thereon. A second and rearwardly extendingarcuately shaped detent surface 82 if formed on each of the printelements 75 and is detailed in construction the same as first printstation detent surface 62.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second print station 3 includes a platen unit 83having a substantially horizontal platen surface 84 and a rearwardlyextending substantially Y-shaped support arm 85. Support arm 85 isrotatably supported on a cross shaft 86 which has its opposite ends 87,88, mounted in base portion 70, below base plate 71. Supported directlyabove the rear end 89 of support arm 83 is a cross shaft 90 which isjoumaled for rotation in pair of bushings 91, 92, mounted on housingsidewalls 77, 78, respectively. Connected to an intermediate portion ofcross shaft 90 directly above the rear end 89 of arm 83 is a forwardlyextending drive link 93. The extending end is pivotally connected to therear end 89 of arm 83 by a pair of link members 94, 95.

It is obvious that a counterclockwise rotation of cross shaft 90 (FIG.3) will effect a clockwise rotation of platen unit 83 about shaft 86 tomove platen surface 84 from a lower inactive position up through printopening 72 to an upper active printing position in the same manner asthe platen unit of the first print station. The relative position ofsecond print station platen surface 84 is detailed such that it is incoplanar alignment with first print station platen surface 26. Thelateral dimension of platen surfaces 26 and 84 are detailed to span allof its associated print elements and platen surface 84 is additionallydetailed to span and effect a print from a signature block 100. As shownin FIG. 4, the second print station cross shaft is provided with anexternally splined extended end 96 which extends into a complimentaryinternally splined opening 97 formed in the tubular cross shaft 33.Cross shaft 33 and cross shaft 90 are coaxially supported relative toeach other and the extended end 96 of shaft 90 and complimentary openingof shaft 33 are detailed to permit nonrotational but an axial slidingmovement relative to each other. The axial sliding,

movement between shaft 90 and shaft 33 will permit lateral adjustment ofthe first print station 2 relative to a second print station 3. As shownin FIG. 3, a print-operating lever 4 is fixed to cross shaft 90 andincludes a rearwardly extending end 5 connected by a tension springelement 6 to base portion 70.

Referring now to FIG. 5 and 6, the second print station 3 includes aconventional check signature block100 slidably supported on a pair offore and aft extending rods 101, 102, having their opposite ends mountedin housing front and rear walls 107, 108. Block 100 has a bottom surface103 containing signature information. Fore and aft adjustment ofsignature block 100 is accomplished by a threaded shaft 104 beingthreaded through a complimentary threaded opening in block 100. Oppositeends 105, 106, of threaded shaft 104 are journaled by conventional means(not shown) for rotational non axial movement in housing front and rearwalls 107, 108. Threaded shaft 104 is provided with an adjusting knob109 fixed to an extended end 106 for effecting fore and aft adjustmentof signature block 100.

Referring now to FIG. 8 and 9, the second print station 3 includes anadjustable gauge stop means 110 consisting of a gauge block 111 and apair of rearwardly extending support arms 112, 113. Arms, 112, 113 areslidably supported in a pair of channel-shaped support brackets 114,115, which are mounted on the second print station housing sidewalls 7778. Gauge block 111 is supported relative to check-receiving notch 74 topresent and adjustable blocking surface to the rear of notch 74 to gaugethe position of a check being printed. Fore and aft adjustment of gaugestop 110 is accomplished by a pair of gear elements 116 (only one ofwhich is shown in mesh with complimentary gear racks 117, 118, formed onthe bottom surface of support arms 112, 113. Gear elements 116 arerotatably supported in openings 119 (only one of which is shown) by ashaft 120. Shaft 120 includes a laterally extending end 121 having fixedthereto an adjusting knob 122.

OPERATION To begin a check-writing operation, the check writer is firstadjusted to insure correct alignment of a check to the print line. Theadjustment is accomplished by first rotating knob 122 to adjust thegauge stop means 110 within check-receiving notch 74 to position thecheck written amount line to correct alignment with the second printstation print elements 75. Next, the first print station is adjustedlaterally, relative to second print station, by adjusting knob 24 andthen fore and aft by adjusting knob 24 and then fore and aft byadjusting knob 47 to position the first print station print elements 56correct alignment with the check-printed amount line. Correct alignmentof signature block is then effected by adjusting knob 109. After thecheck writer has been adjusted for correct alignment of a check, theprint elements 56 and 75 of both print stations 2 and 3 are then set toposition the correct amounts to be printed to the print line. A check isthen inserted and print-operating lever 4 is pulled downwardly to causethe platen units 25 and 83 to move to an active printing position toeffect a simultaneous print out of information set in the print elements56 and 75 and contained in signature block On the return of theoperating lever 4 to its upright position, the selected printingsegments are cleared by conventional methods.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to one embodiment thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1

1. In a check-writing capable of effecting a simultaneous print out ofinformation set in two printing stations, the improvement comprising, incombination:

a. a first printing station mounted on said check-writing machine andincluding a series of print elements selectively settable to a printingline;

. a second printing station mounted on said check-writing machine andincluding a series of print elements selectively settable to a printingline;

c. an adjusting means mounted on said check-writing machine operativelyassociated with one of said printing stations, said adjusting meansincluding lateral adjusting means for adjusting said one printingstation laterally relative to said other printing station laterallyrelative to said other printing station and fore and aft adjusting meansfor effecting a fore and aft adjustment of said one printing stationrelative to said other printing station; and

d. platen means mounted on said check-writing machine and operativelyassociated with said printing elements for effecting a simultaneousprint out of information set in said printing elements, said platenmeans including an independent platen unit operatively associated witheach printing station and wherein said check writing machine includes asingle operating lever operatively associated with said two platen unitsfor effecting a simultaneous printing operation with said platen units.

2. In a check-writing machine as described in claim 1 further includinga signature block carried by one of said print stations and operativelyassociated with said platen means for simultaneous printout ofinformation contained in said signature block with said information setin said printing elements.

3. In a check-writing machine as described in claim 2 furthercharacterized in that one of said printing stations is provided with afore and aft adjustable stop gauge laterally oriented for gauging thefore and aft position of a check relative to said print elements.

4. In a check-writing machine as described in claim 3, furthercharacterized in that said signature block includes fore and aftadjusting means operatively associated therewith for adjusting the foreand aft' position of said signature block relative to said printingelements.

5. In a check-writing machine as described in claim 1, furthercharacterized in that said platen unit operatively associated withprinting station having said lateral and fore and aft adjusting means isdetailed such that said platen unit is supported on said printingstation for lateral adjustment with said printing station and issupported in a fixed fore and aft position and provided with to permitrelative fore and aft adjustment between said platen unit and saidprinting station print elements.

6. In a check-writing machines as described in claim 5, furthercharacterized in that said laterally adjustable platen unit is detailedin fore and aft dimensions to effect a print out from said associatedpn'nt elements in all of the fore and aft adjustable positions of saidprint elements.

7. In a check-writing machine as described in claim 2, furthercharacterized in that said platen unit operatively associated with saidprint station having said signature block is detailed in dimensions suchthat said platen unit will effect a simultaneous print out from saidprint station print elements and said signature block.

8. In a check-writing machine as described in claim 4, a furthercharacterized in that said signature block and said adjustable stopgauge are operatively associated with one of said print stations andsaid print station adjusting means operatively associated with saidother print station.

1. IN A CHECK-WRITING CAPABLE OF EFFECTING A SIMULTANEOUS PRINT OUT OFINFORMATION SET IN TWO PRINTING STATIONS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, INCOMBINATION: A. A FIRST PRINTING STATION MOUNTED ON SAID CHECK-WRITINGMACHINE AND INCLUDING A SERIES OF PRINT ELEMENTS SELECTIVELY SETTABLE TOA PRINTING LINE; B. A SECOND PRINTING STATION MOUNTED ON SAIDCHECK-WRITING MACHINE AND INCLUDING A SERIES OF PRINT ELEMENTSSELECTIVELY SETTABLE TO A PRINTING LINE; C. AN ADJUSTING MEANS MOUNTEDON SAID CHECK-WRITING MACHINE OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF SAIDPRINTING STATIONS, SAID ADJUSTING MEANS INCLUDING LATERAL ADJUSTINGMEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID ONE PRINTING STATION LATERALLY RELATIVE TO SAIDOTHER PRINTING STATION LATERALLY RELATIVE TO SAID OTHER PRINTING STATIONAND FORE AND AFT ADJUSTING MEANS FOR EFFECTING A FORE AND AFT ADJUSTMENTOF SAID ONE PRINTING STATION RELATIVE TO SAID OTHER PRINTING STATION;AND D. PLATEN MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CHECK-WRITING MACHINE ANDOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PRINTING ELEMENTS FOR EFFECTING ASIMULTANEOUS PRINT OUT OF INFORMATION SET IN SAID PRINTING ELEMENTS,SAID PLATEN MEANS INCLUDING AN INDEPENDENT PLATEN UNIT OPERATIVELYASSOCIATED WITH EACH PRINTING STATION AND WHEREIN SAID CHECK WRITINGMACHINE INCLUDES A SINGLE OPERATING LEVER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITHSAID TWO PLATEN UNITS FOR EFFECTING A SIMULTANEOUS PRINTING OPERATIONWITH SAID PLATEN UNITS.
 2. In a check-writing machine as described inclaim 1 further including a signature block carried by one of said printstations and operatively associated with said platen means forsimultaneous printout of information contained in said signature blockwith said information set in said printing elements.
 3. In acheck-writing machine as described in claim 2 further characterized inthat one of said printing stations is proVided with a fore and aftadjustable stop gauge laterally oriented for gauging the fore and aftposition of a check relative to said print elements.
 4. In acheck-writing machine as described in claim 3, further characterized inthat said signature block includes fore and aft adjusting meansoperatively associated therewith for adjusting the fore and aft positionof said signature block relative to said printing elements.
 5. In acheck-writing machine as described in claim 1, further characterized inthat said platen unit operatively associated with printing stationhaving said lateral and fore and aft adjusting means is detailed suchthat said platen unit is supported on said printing station for lateraladjustment with said printing station and is supported in a fixed foreand aft position and provided with to permit relative fore and aftadjustment between said platen unit and said printing station printelements.
 6. In a check-writing machines as described in claim 5,further characterized in that said laterally adjustable platen unit isdetailed in fore and aft dimensions to effect a print out from saidassociated print elements in all of the fore and aft adjustablepositions of said print elements.
 7. In a check-writing machine asdescribed in claim 2, further characterized in that said platen unitoperatively associated with said print station having said signatureblock is detailed in dimensions such that said platen unit will effect asimultaneous print out from said print station print elements and saidsignature block.
 8. In a check-writing machine as described in claim 4,a further characterized in that said signature block and said adjustablestop gauge are operatively associated with one of said print stationsand said print station adjusting means operatively associated with saidother print station.